24/7 Crisis Line

“Crisis line, are you SAFE?” That’s the first thing a caller hears when they reach out to PADV. Safety is at the very core of every service we provide and every action we take. It is our goal to make sure that our survivors feel safe throughout their journey with us. The crisis line is the first step in that journey and the gateway to all of the services and programs PADV offers. This includes shelter in one of our two emergency safe houses, legal advocacy, and community support groups. The moment that a call is answered we begin safety planning with survivors. Whether they decide to come into our safe house or not, their safety remains a top priority.

Oftentimes, the crisis line is the first attempt a survivor makes to seek help and that is the reason why it remains such a critical aspect of our organization. The crisis line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Survivors can call at 3pm or 3am and our staff will be there to offer the resources and support they need. Dante Jackson, a PADV volunteer for the crisis line, says he feels the crisis line is the door into the organization and answering the calls makes him feel like a first responder. “Working the crisis line made me realize that there are lots of things I wasn’t aware of as far as all the community resources available. Sometimes people just need to talk. Regardless of the caller’s needs, working the crisis line is one of the more important things you can do as a volunteer. I also enjoy that I get to interact with the clients and show them that not all men are bad. I get to see different perspectives on a very complex issue, so I’m learning and growing when I work the crisis line, while at the same time helping other.”

Last year, PADV answered over 10,000 calls on the crisis line. This number is proof that we still have a long way to go to eliminate intimate partner violence, but it’s also proof that PADV staff and volunteers won’t stop working until the number of calls we receive is 0!

If you would like to volunteer for the crisis line, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Bre’Shae Pittman at Breshae.Pittman@padv.org or 404-991-7413.